The last thing anyone with a busy lifestyle wants to do is make a doctor’s appointment for a vaccine. But keeping up on your immunizations is more important than ever.
Whether it’s your annual flu shot, a scheduled booster, or immunizations for international travel, getting a vaccine doesn’t need to be a hassle.
Your local urgent care center may be the answer.
Should You Go to Urgent Care for Vaccines?
Urgent care can be an excellent choice for getting vaccinated. We all know choosing where to go for immunizations often comes down to convenience.
Urgent care centers are open with flexible hours, including weekends, and often don’t require an appointment. This convenience makes life much easier for those busy with work, the kids’ school schedule, or other commitments.
Countless studies show vaccines are safe and prevent potentially life-threatening diseases. They are a crucial component of staying healthy for both children and adults.
Getting a vaccine doesn’t need to be a hassle. Here are a few reasons why choosing urgent care for your next vaccine is a good idea:
- Convenient – Most urgent care centers let you walk in any day of the week, including during extended hours and weekends, to receive a vaccine. This is far more reliable than hoping your drugstore pharmacy is open after work or trying to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider (PCP).
- Affordable – Urgent care centers usually accept a wide range of health insurance plans. However, rates tend to be very affordable if you plan on paying out of pocket.
- Available – Many urgent care centers offer a large selection of vaccines. This includes annual jabs like the flu vaccine as well as Tdap, MMR, Hepatitis A & B, and COVID-19.
What Types of Vaccines Can I Get at Urgent Care?
Your vaccine needs may vary depending on your age, lifestyle, and medical history. Fortunately, you can walk into most urgent care centers and get one or more vaccines. Speaking with a provider about which vaccines you should get is the best way to ensure you are fully protected.
A few vaccines offered by most urgent care centers are:
- Influenza (flu) – Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine yearly. This protects you from the influenza virus that causes respiratory illness, especially during winter months.
- Td (tetanus and diphtheria) – A combination vaccine offering protection against tetanus and diphtheria. Tetanus is a type of bacterial infection that can be fatal if untreated and often comes from a puncture wound by a contaminated object. Most people should get a tetanus vaccine every ten years and/or after getting a “dirty” wound. Diphtheria is another bacterial infection spread from person to person, causing severe respiratory symptoms, and can be deadly.
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) – Offers protection against tetanus and diphtheria as well as pertussis, or whooping cough. This vaccine is often given as a booster to healthcare workers and adults who will be around babies and children.
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) – Protects against a trio of viral diseases that result in a widespread rash, respiratory symptoms, and are highly contagious.
- Hepatitis A & B – Vaccines that can be given together or separately to offer protection against hepatitis, a severe liver infection. Hepatitis A comes from contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B spreads through contact with infected body fluids.
- COVID-19 – Offers protection against viral COVID-19 infection, which can lead to severe or fatal respiratory symptoms.
- Childhood Vaccinations – The CDC recommends that children receive multiple doses of more than ten different types of vaccines as they age. Your local urgent care center may offer some or all of these vaccines.
- Travel Vaccinations – Those traveling internationally, especially to areas with poor sanitation and increased spread of disease, may need special vaccinations to stay healthy. The CDC’s long list of travel vaccines includes vaccines against chickenpox (varicella), cholera, polio, rabies, typhoid, yellow fever, and more.
It’s always a good idea to call your local urgent care center before you visit to ensure they offer the vaccine you need. State and regional differences may affect which vaccines are available.
Choose Urgent Care for Your Next Vaccine
Choosing to get vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect your health. Choosing urgent care is the most convenient, affordable, and efficient way to get your next vaccine.
Ready to get vaccinated? Find an urgent care center near you now.
